Joshua 14:1-5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 14:1-5

The historian, having in the foregoing chapter given an account of the disposal of the countries on the other side Jordan, now comes to tell us what they did with the countries in the land of Canaan. They were not conquered to be left desert, a habitation for dragons, and a court for owls, Isa. 34:13. No, the Israelites that had hitherto been closely encamped in a body, and the greatest part of them such as never knew any other way of living, must now disperse themselves to replenish these new... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 14:1

And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan ,.... Of which an exact account is given in the following chapters, particularly in the Joshua 15:1 , which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for an inheritance unto them ; namely, ten princes, one of each tribe, who, with Eleazar and Joshua, were appointed of the Lord by name to do this business, even... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 14:2

By lot was their inheritance ,.... Every tribe had its part and portion assigned to it, by the casting of lots; which was done to prevent any future quarrels, animosities and strifes among the tribes, the disposition being of the Lord; and to show the exact agreement between the lot and the divine predictions by Jacob and Moses; and to make it appear that the division of the land was not owing to the private combination of the above men, and their private settlement of it; but to the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 14:3

And Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes, and an half tribe, on the other side Jordan ,.... The two tribes of Gad and Reuben, and the half tribe of Manasseh, whose inheritance is described in Joshua 13:8 , but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them ; this is frequently observed, that it might be taken notice of, to show the disinterestedness of Moses in this affair, Levi being his own tribe; and to recommend the care of the Levites to the other tribes, according... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 14:4

For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim ,.... For the birthright being forfeited by Reuben, was given to Joseph, who had the double portion, the privilege of the firstborn; by which means the number of the twelve tribes was kept up in the division of the land, though that of Levi had no share in it; and which is also a reason why they had none, that Joseph's two sons might be reckoned two tribes: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land ; to make... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 14:5

As the Lord commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did ,.... Particularly with respect to the division of the land, and making provision for the Levites; this they did by their heads and representatives, the high priest and chief ruler, and the princes of the several tribes: and they divided the land ; met about it, and began to take measures in order to do it; they prepared for it, though as yet it was not actually done, and previous to it was the following incident. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 14:1

Eleazar the priest, etc. - Eleazar, as being the minister of God in sacred things is mentioned first. Joshua, as having the supreme command in all things civil, is mentioned next. And the Heads or Princes of the twelve tribes, who in all things acted under Joshua, are mentioned last. These heads or princes were twelve, Joshua and Eleazar included; and the reader may find their names in Numbers 34:19-28 . It is worthy of remark that no prince was taken from the tribes of Reuben and Gad,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 14:2

By lot was their inheritance - Concerning the meaning and use of the lot, see the note on Numbers 26:55 ; and concerning the manner of casting lots in the case of the scapegoat, see the note on Leviticus 16:8 , Leviticus 16:9 . On this subject Dr. Dodd has selected some good observations from Calmet and Masius, which I here borrow: "Though God had sufficiently pointed out by the predictions of Jacob when dying, and those of Moses, what portions he designed for each tribe, we readily... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 14:4

The children of Joseph were two tribes - This was ascertained by the prophetic declaration of their grandfather Jacob, Genesis 48:5 , Genesis 48:6 ; and as Levi was taken out of the tribes for the service of the sanctuary, one of these sons of Joseph came in his place, and Joseph was treated as the first-born of Jacob, in the place of Reuben, who forfeited his right of primogeniture. With their suburbs for their cattle - For the meaning of this passage the reader is referred to the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 14:5

They divided the land - This work was begun some time before at Gilgal, and was finished some time after at Shiloh. It must have required a very considerable time to make all the geographical arrangements that were necessary for this purpose. read more

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